Hot stuff: Hanging garden ornaments

It's the time of year when the garden imagination gets stirring. Come February, it's actually time to start seeds for the spring planting. While actually getting outside to plant is still just a fantasy, there is a garden project that you can do even in the coldest climates. The project is hanging garden ornaments.

Hanging garden ornaments look sparkly and special in the winter. The sun's light glints through them and reflects off the snow. You can build them inside in your carpentry shop or craft room, and then bundle up to affix the hanging garden ornaments to the trees in your yard.

Any of these hanging garden ornaments can be affixed to built garden structures , if you don't have many trees. Pergolas and even arbors can harbor these shiny, happy garden ornaments. (For pergola inspiration, have a look see at the pergola that Sumner, Washington landscaper Littlefield Landscaping built for a client.) Picture colored, prism-like light reflecting off the snowy ground. Who can wait for spring? This is a satisfying project to do right now.

Here are a few ideas for hanging garden ornaments. Best of all, they all can be made from found or thrifted materials. Happy gardening!

Glass swag globes from the 1960's: It's a fine time to scour the thrift for 1960's glass globes. The formerly tacky glass globes have been stripped from people's rec rooms, and now it's your turn to turn them into something fabulous. While these little bits of psychedelia look a bit too groovy indoors, outdoors they are stunning. They're rockabilly rustic and glamarama when hung in groups in the outdoors.

Wagon wheel mobile: I'm not sure who has a spare wagon wheel hanging around, but if you don't this project is a great reason to hit your local flea market. What could be more fun than hunting for wagon wheels at the flea market? You can make a super rustic and fun mobile out of a wagon wheel and some old chair legs. I know, it sounds funny, but it is actually a super cool hanging garden ornament. Make haste and build this mobile. You'll love the sound of the chair legs clacking together as the wind blows through it; it's just like one of those wooden wind chimes.

Garden chandelier made of junk: The link I posted is just a guideline. You could use all of your creative faculties to fashion a garden chandelier made from junk. Got something sparkly sitting in the garage? You'll find a way to incorporate it into a garden chandelier. Anything you've got can be affixed with wire, from shiny marbles to crystals and beads.